KUALA LUMPUR: The government's planned new legislation to deal with online scams is timely as such crimes have become "Public Enemy No. 1", says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the plan is long overdue given the serious problem online scams pose in the country.
"With Malaysians from all walks of life falling prey, it can be said (these crimes are) now the number one enemy of the public.
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"I think it is high time for the government to look at this issue seriously and take appropriate action," he said when contacted on Sunday (Oct 20).
Online scams have gone beyond telecommunication scams as they cover other types of cheating such as financial fraud, loan scams and love scams, he added.
"It is therefore necessary for the government to have a legal framework for stricter online security measures for banks and other entities.
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"This matter is of pressing concern for the public as scammers operate in various domains.
"The new legislation that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on online scams and other cybersecurity issues has been eagerly awaited," he said.
In announcing Budget 2025 on Friday (Oct 18), Anwar noted that amendments to Section 574 of the Penal Code and Section 593 of the Criminal Procedure Code will ensure that more effective action is taken against mule accounts used in scams.
He also announced a RM20mil allocation for the National Scam Response Centre to step up its role in curbing and preventing scams.
